Indonesia is vaccinating Instagram influencers
Deciding who should be first in line for limited COVID-19 vaccine doses has been a challenge around the world.
In Indonesia, the government is taking a novel approach.
Instagram influencers, like Raffi Ahmad, were some of the first to receive the shot this week when the country launched its mass inoculation programme.
The TV personality livestreamed the procedure to his nearly 50 million followers on Instagram.
And the lead singer of the Noah Band received his live on TV.
"As a musician who is affected by this pandemic, I am very eager to go back to normal, even if it is not a hundred percent like before, as soon as possible."
To include influencers alongside 1.5 million healthcare workers in the first round of inoculations was a deliberate strategy.
Many in Indonesia are skeptical about vaccines despite the country having one of the worst outbreaks in Asia, with more than 869,000 cases and 25,000 deaths.
A December poll showed just 37% of Indonesians were willing to be vaccinated while 40% would consider it and 17% would refuse.
Though in a possible boost for chances of acceptance, the country's top Islamic council has deemed the vaccine halal.
Some doctors have also raised concern about the varying efficacy data for Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine.
In the end, the government's PR campaign backfired somewhat.
Photos emerged of Raffi partying without a mask hours after he received his injection, which takes time to be effective.
Police are investigating whether he broke the law and he has offered a public apology.
